In-bed multi-purpose desk

ABSTRACT

Two side mounted panels ( 30 ) slide along the slots provided in side rails ( 20 ) so that a main board can be positioned at a convenient distance from bed. The main board tilt can be adjusted to a particular angle and locked in that angle with the tilt locking disks ( 34 ) on extendable arms ( 32 ) A laptop can be mounted on main board easily by just sliding laptop holders ( 56 ) to the appropriate position. The laptop can also be operated with an external keyboard seated on keyboard cradle ( 76 ) and by an external pointing device. Read-write box ( 64 ) secured on to read write holders ( 58 ) has a compartment with light for holding a book in open position. It can be positioned and locked at a convenient reading angle. The position of the laptop and the read/write box can be rearranged independently.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/901,972 filed on Feb. 17, 2007 at USPTO, USA.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is an article of furniture. It relates generally to the field of furniture and ergonomics and more specifically to a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space.

BACKGROUND ART

Ergonomic ways to use devices have been around since the beginning of automation. There were few inventions such as in-bed laptop desks, cantilever arm desk and mobile desks for the user to operate from the bed. This invention provides a few best known ergonomic positions for the user in operating and using devices such as laptop computer, read-write work space, TV etc.,.

Relevant Prior Art Includes

U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,066—Multi-function support U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,050—A portable desk for use with a lap-top computer U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566—A potable ergonomic computer workstation U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,567—Book holding device U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536—Computer support apparatus and method U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,753—A cantilevered and adjustable computer desk U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,840—Mobile clinical workstation U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,522—Overbed table for use with a patient support

Technical Problem

The prior inventions required manual intervention to remove the device from the bed to a different safe position after the usage. Even though, such machines could be used for in bed operations, the user can not safely go to sleep after the usage of the machine without putting it away from the bed. Prior arts lacked safe means for mounting the monitoring equipments, display units, communication devices and medical apparatus right near the patient in bed. With the prior devices secured ways of mounting displays, entertaining children and monitoring babies were not feasible right in the bed.

The prior arts could not be left in bed or near bed while the user is sleeping or unconscious, since it might result in personal damage and/or property damage.

Technical Solution

This invention provides a convenient work space above and close to the bed, with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustments. The positional and tilt adjustments are made feasible by means of various moving mechanisms. User can easily program the desk to be moved automatically to a safe position after a programmable time-out. Specific holders provided for securing the devices to the desk make this invention safe.

Advantageous Effects

The primary advantage of the invention is to provide a convenient and safe work space for in-bed operations like working with the laptop computer, reading, writing and watching TV.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide multiple degrees of freedom to adjust positional distance and the viewing angle from the user to the main board.

A further advantage of the invention is to provide a platform for mounting devices and gadgets safely and securely right above the user in bed.

Yet another advantage of the invention is gadgets rack for keeping the ear phones, mobile phone, CD player, CDs, DVDs, MP3 player, Home Theater systems etc.,.

Still yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a desk for easy and safe operation for persons with disabilities, bed-ridden patients and children.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A Main Board for providing work space above the bed, Tilt locking wheels mounted between the Main Board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the Mainboard, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the Mainboard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 (prior art) shows a portable computer workstation.

FIG. 2 shows the device with a laptop and a read/write box.

FIG. 3 shows the components in detail.

FIG. 4 shows the side panels assembly on both sides of the bed.

FIG. 5 shows the main board assembly.

FIG. 6 depicts the perspective view from the back of the main board and how the read/write box and the laptop computer are mounted on the main board.

FIG. 7 shows the additional keyboard cradle that can be used for heavy key-in operations while lying down in the bed.

FIG. 8 shows the perspective back view of a prototype of the device made of wood.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

20—Side Rails

22—Side Rail Support

23—Side rail nails

24—Side Panel bolts & nuts

26—Side glides

28—rivets

30—Side Panels

32—Extendable arms

34—Tilt locking disks

36—Keyboard Cradle holder

38—Tilt locking latches

40—Main board flanges

42—Main board length pieces

44—Main board side pieces

46—Length piece front side rail

48—Length piece top side rail

50—Main board nails

52—Main board bolts and nuts

54—Laptop bottom holders

56—Laptop top holders

58—Read/Write box holders

60—Gadgets rack holders

62—Rear panel TV holders

64—Read/Write box

66—Read/Write Folding unit

68—Side lights

70—Fiber glass front cover

72—Folder lock wheels

74—Folder lock

76—Keyboard cradle length piece

78—Keyboard Pad

Best Mode

The best mode of this invention comprises the preferred embodiment of the invention described below. Adding more embedded devices such as computer, display units, digital circuitry for automation, motorized movements, hydraulic actuators and electric actuators are possible.

Mode for Invention

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a machine for providing in-bed multi-purpose work space comprising: A main board for providing work space above the bed, tilt locking wheels mounted between the main board and Side arms, Laptop holders mounted on the Mainboard, Side arms for supporting the main board, Side rails attached to the bed, Keyboard cradle, Read-write box with side lights, and Flat TV holders mounted on the rear of the main board.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention, an article of furniture accomplishes the provision of a convenient work space for the user to operate from the bed.

In medical and clinical applications this invention can be safely used for patient monitoring, securing communication devices and medical apparatus near the patient.

The main board discussed can be mounted to wall, ceiling or supporting columns and used in environments such as office, fast food joints, etc.,

This invention can further be deployed for monitoring kids, unconscious patients in bed. The same invention can be used as an in-bed entertainment center.

Television sets such as LCD TV, Plasma TV, Projectors can be mounted on the rear panel of the main board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Side Panel Assembly

As shown in FIG. 4., side rail 20R is nailed to side rail support 22R using side rail nails 23 and then side rail support 22R is attached to the right side of the bed using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Side panel 30R is riveted to side glide 26R using rivets 28. Extendable arm 32R is attached to the side panel 30R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. Tilt locking disk 34R is fit to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R. The side glide 26R is inserted in the slot of side rail 20R. Similarly the left side panel assembly is done using the appropriate left side components. Tilt locking disk 34R is attached to the extendable arm 32R using side panel bolts and nuts 24R.

Main Board Assembly

As shown in FIG. 5, Along with the main board flange 40R, three main board length pieces 42 and two main board side pieces 44 are fastened using main board bolts and nuts 52. Three length piece front side rails 46 are nailed with each length piece 42 using main board nails 50. Two length piece top side rails 48 are nailed to the center and the bottom length pieces 42C and 42B of the main board using main board nails 50. Nail the tilt locking latches 38 to the bottom of the main board side pieces 44 at the back of the main board.

Mounting Holders

As shown in FIG. 6, Slide the read write box holders 58 in the slot of length piece top side rail 48 nailed to main board length piece 42C and 42B. Slide the Laptop bottom holders 54 in the slot of length piece front side rail 46 of the bottom length piece 42B. Slide the Laptop top holders in the slot of length piece front side rail 46 of the main board length piece 44C. Nail rear panel TV holders 60 to the top of the main board length piece 44T.

Keyboard Cradle Assembly

Attach the Keyboard cradle holders 36R, 36L to the right side and left side panels 30R and 30L. Slide the keyboard cradle length piece 76 into the holders attached to the bottom of keyboard pad 78.

Read/Write box is assembled as shown in FIG. 3 by sliding the folding unit 66 along with the folder lock wheels 72 inside read/write box 64.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1) An article of furniture, for providing work space near a bed with multiple degrees of freedom for adjustments comprising 2) A Sheet, main board, equipped with tilt locking mechanism such as tilt locking disk, to provide angular tilt adjustments to said mainboard 3) Means for supporting said main board in combination with moving mechanisms comprising side panels attached to side rails and extendable arms to provide means for position adjustments 4) Means for sliding, fixing side panels horizontally to the bed comprising side rails attached to the bed 5) Means for securing devices and equipments safely comprising holders on the front side rails and top side rails, Laptop holders for mounting laptops safely, holders for display units comprising television holders attached to the mainboard 6) Means for holding additional input/output devices communicating with other devices on said main board comprising keyboard cradle, Keyboard pad for mounting computer keyboard, reading lights 7) Means for in-bed operations such as reading and writing comprising read-write box, reading lights and digital tablets 8) Optional add-on boards, holders to main board to mount more devices 9) Means for automating the positional and angular adjustments comprising said extendable arms connected to hydraulic actuators, electric actuators 10) Embedding devices inside said main board comprising electronic devices to facilitate sleep mode, time out, automatic safe parking features features of said main board 11) Means for providing work space with optional degrees of freedom for adjustments comprising 12) A sheet, main board, equipped with tilt locking mechanism such as tilt locking disk, to provide angular tilt adjustments 13) Means for supporting said main board comprising arms attached to wall, ceiling, floor in environments comprising office, medical clinic 14) Providing attachments to said main board to furnitures other than bed comprising crib, wheel chair, vehicle 15) Means for providing add on boards to said side panels comprising gadget boxes, mobile phones, charging units, built in battery 16) Providing attachments to said main board comprising baby monitoring units, patient monitoring facilities, medical apparatus, food compartments, lights, gadget charging units whereby a human can conveniently, ergonomically and safely work with computer, read, write, watch TV and use gadgets such as mobile phones right from the bed. 